Keep them away from the grill because of the risk of burns and also
many dogs will lick up any grease from the grill and give themselves pancreatitis.

Most people
know that some foods are toxic to pets like chocolate, but so are the artificial sweetener, xylitol, as
well as grapes, raisins, onions, alcoholic beverages, and others. (See our post on holiday hazards).
Keep them indoors when company comes over and keep them away from the trash after everybody
calls it a day.

Pool Chemicals

Undiluted pool chemicals can be corrosive to the eyes, skin, mouth, esophagus, etc., and result
in permanent injury. Always keep pool chemicals and cleaners safely out of the reach of pets and
children. Also, not all pets can swim, so supervise them at the pool just like the kids.

The Beach

If large amounts of ocean water are ingested while playing on the beach, hypernatremia (an
elevated salt level) can occur. Salt poisoning leads to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive thirst
or urination, tremors, seizures, coma and even death.

Instead of allowing dogs to drink from the
ocean, provide them with fresh water. Also, do not let them eat beach sand as that can cause a
blockage of the intestines requiring surgery. Again, be cautious letting them swim. Consider a
life jacket for all swimmers whether at the pool, beach, or lake. And be aware that pets can also
become sunburned as well as suffer from heat stroke even if they are enjoying the water. Short
nosed dogs and dogs exercising a lot are at greater risk. Pets cannot dissipate heat like we do by
sweating so watch them for heavy panting and difficulty breathing, a bright red tongue and gums,
saliva is thick and tenacious, and the dog often vomits. The dog becomes lethargic and unsteady,
and passes bloody diarrhea. The dog goes into shock and the lips and mucous membranes turn
gray. Collapse, seizures, coma, and death rapidly ensue.

Fireworks

Besides being potentially frightening to your pet, unused fireworks can be toxic if ingested. The
chemicals in fireworks that make them pretty can cause kidney damage, seizures, liver damage,
blood cell toxicity, and vomiting and diarrhea. They can also burn themselves or be injured by
exploding fireworks so keep them indoors during the festivities. If your pet is frightened by the
noise, talk with your veterinarian about what can be done for noise phobia (See our post on thunderstorm phobia).

Dr. Dana assists families with Pet Hospice and Euthanasia in the Raleigh
North Carolina area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the greater
Triangle, as well as Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties.